newton



P. S. NEWTON EYE STIMULATOR Aug. 18, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 1v Filed July23, 1956 INVENToR.

PH/LL/P S. NEWTON BY 2 ATTORNEY Aug. 18, 1959 Filed July 23, 1956 P. S.NEWTON EYE STIMULATOR 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

PH/LL/P S. NEWTON ATTORNEY EYE STIMULATOR Filed July 23. 195e 4sheets-sheet :s

,Inl

IN VEN TOR. PH/LL/P S. NEWT/V ATTORNEY Aug. 18, 1959 p, s, NEWTQN2,899,956

EYE STIMULATOR Filed July 23. 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 f INVENTOR. PH/L/Ps. NEWTON BY I :,C

. ATTORNEY United States Patent() "ice EYE STIMULATOR Phillip S. Newton,Oakland, Calif.

Application July 23, 1956, Serial No. 599,549

9 Claims. (Cl. 128 76.5)

The invention, in general, relates to ocular demonstration and moreparticularly relates to devices and methods for inducing the exercise ofthe eye muscles in order to correct and strengthen the same as well asto improve the nerve system of the eye.

There have been heretofore a number of different devices developed andmethods utilized in an endeavor to correct or treat ametropia and otherocular defects all of which, in the main, have not substantiallyaccomplished the desired results due primarily to the lack ofappreciation of the particular problems involved and, consequently, theincapability of these prior devices and methods to resolve suchproblems.

As is perhaps well known, ametropia includes such ocular defects asmyopia, hypermetropia, presbyopia and physiologic astigmatism, allresulting from a condition of the eye which is abnormal with respect torefraction, and directly traceable to the crystalline lens and itsoperating mechanism including the ciliary muscle and suspensoryligaments which are attached to and which support the crystalline lens.Usually, abnormal refraction is correctible by changing the focal lengthof the crystalline lens by varying its curvature and such method andprocess is known as accommodation. The accommodative power of the eyeordinarily decreases with age making it gradually more and moredifficult for a person-volun- Iarily to focus his eyes on near objects,such loss of ac- Acommodative power being known as presbyopia. Normally,in such cases, good images of distant objects may be produced on theretina but the focal plane of near objects will be behind the retinaand, consequently, to produce a distant image of a near object the focusmust be brought forward to the retina. This is accomplished in anordinary case by the use of spectacles which effect a proper correctiveconvergence of the light into the eye.

An opposite ocular defect, known as hypermetropia or far-sightedness,occurs when the lens has an abnormally great curvature in which case theeye, when at rest, converges light from a distant point to a focus infront of the retina, known as myopia, or near-sightedness since sharpimages are produced on the retina of a myopie eye by light from nearobjects only. This is also correctible by spectacles which havediverging lenses of such curvature that substantially parallel rays oflight, such as from distant objects, after traversing the spectacle lensand the lens of the eye are brought to a focus on the retina.

Physiologie astigmatism occurs when the curvature of the crystallinelens of the eye is not the same in different meridians, the image of apoint source of light is focused on the retina as a line rather than apoint; such astigmatism resulting from an effort of the crystalline lensenervating mechanism to overcome such anatomical corneal astigmaticcondition causing a refractive eye strain not relieved or corrected byspectacles.

It is thus observed that most of the foregoing ocular defects generallyhave been attempted to be corrected .by

spectacles or other devices, and in some cases some good results havebeen accomplished but largely these devices and methods are ineffectivebecause the internal condition'. of the eye has not been affected. Thepresent invention is directed to the provision of apparatus and methods'capable of so exercising the ciliary muscle of the eye and associatedmechanism as to veffect the curvature of the crystalline lens of the eyewhereby such curvature may' be either increased or decreased and wherebythe accommodative power of the eye may be substantially improved.-

A primary object of the present invention is to provide an improved eyestimulator capable of exercising an ape preciably increased retinal areafor developing a larger ter which possesses the feature of greatlyassisting in the' adaptation of a patients visual system to a weaker setof spectacle lens. j v

Another object of my present invention is to provide an improved eyestimulation method which is adaptable to a wide variation of applicationfor inducing the stimulation of the combined focusing mechanisms of theeye.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved eyestimulator which is'adaptable to .a wide variation of application forinducing variable exercisesof.

one or both eyes of a person to vary the accommodative powers of theeyes.

Other objects of the invention, together with some of the advantages andfeatures thereof, will appear from the following description of apreferred embodiment of the "in-1 vention which is illustrated in theaccompanying draw-v ings. It is to be understood, however, that I am notto be' limited to the precise embodiment shown, nor to the, precisearrangement of the various parts thereof, as my' invention, as definedin the appended claims, can be eine,

bodied in a plurality and variety of forms.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. l is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a. preferred embodimentof the invention.

Fig. 2 is another view of the preferred embodiment of the inventiontaken on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a still furtherview of thepreferred embodi ment of the invention taken on the line 3 3 of Fig.

Fig. 4 is a plan View of the preferred embodiment of`- the invention,taken on the line 4 4 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 5 is a wiring diagram of the rotaryA disc control and timermechanism.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged view of the timer, taken on the line 6 6 of Fig.4. Y

Fig. 7 is a view taken on the line 7 7 of Fig. 4.`

Fig. 8 is a view taken on the line 8 8 of Fig. 7. i Y Fig. 9 is a frontelevational view of one ofthe smallery discs employed in a preferredembodiment ofI the,

invention.

Fig. 10 is a front elevation of anotherof the smaller discs employed ina preferred embodiment of the invention showing the different curvaturesof the segmental portions thereof. Y l Fig. ll is a front elevationalView of one of thelarger,

discs employed in the preferred embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 12 is a front elevational view of another ofth'e larger discsemployed in the preferred embodiment of the' invention, this larger discbeing solid with pained 'seg.

mental portions.

Fig. 13 is a front elevational composite'viewr of all-0f- PatentedA'ug.. 18,

the discs employed in the preferred embodiment of the invention andlooking into the faces thereof.

In its preferred form, the improved eye stimulator of the presentinventionV preferably comprises afplurality of movable membersconstituting a target, meansfor rotatingisaid membersV at variablespeeds and in both direc-` tions, of rotation, and means providing aplurality of spaced ocular objectives, on eachof said memberswhichsimulate Ymovement-outwardly and` inwardly relative to the centers of`said members upon rotation thereofthereby effecting the exercise ofthevciiary muscles of an eye trained on the rotary members and aiecting thecurvature of the crystalline lens of such eye. A Y

. As illustrated'particularly in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive of the annexedYdrawings, I provider atwo-section casing which may be integrally formedand which includes ay front section 171 and a rear section 12. The twocasing sections conveniently are arranged in right angle relationshipwith the rear section 12 joining the front section at itsv approximatelongitudinal center. The front sectionV 11 is formed with an open frontwall 13 defining a relativelyV wide annular opening 14 through which thehereinafter described target may be viewed, and also is formed with aninwardly directed annular ange 16 at the opening 14 to define an annularfront chamber 16 in whichV target illuminating means 17, such as aseries of electrical bulbs arranged in spaced relationship, are mountedfor` directing light rays onto the target; the bulbs being connected inthe usual manner to a supply of electrical energy, not shown. If`desired,-a fluorescent tube may be utilized in lieu of the series ofbulbs 17. By` providing the annular mounting of the illuminating means,light rays are directedv onto the target from every angle of view andthus the uniformity of light dispersion is had upon the target.

A In accordance with the present invention, I provide a plurality ofrotatably mounted discs 21, 22, 23 and 24 in the front casing section11, which discs constitute the target to be viewed by a patientundergoing eye treatment. To this end, a shaft 26 is journaled insuitable bearings 27 and 28 which are arranged in alignment andsupported, respectively, on the back wall 29 of a drive casing 99 and onthe front wall 31 of such drive casing; the shaft 26 extending forwardlyof the back` wallV 31 of the drive casing 99 a suflicient distance toeffect the mounting of the discs 21-24, inclusive, one behind the otheras viewed from the opening 14- of the front casing. It is to beobservedthat I provide two smaller discs 21-22 of equal diameters at the frontof the target and two larger discs 23 and 24 at the rear of the target;such larger discs` being also of equal diameter but of greater diametersthan the diameters of the smaller discs.

While any suitable means can be utilized-for driving the discs 21-24, Ihave successfully operated the preferredY embodiment of the inventionwith disc drive connections as shown particuarly in Fig. 1 of theannexed drawings whereby the two smallerl discs 21 and 22 of the targetare rotated as a pair in both directions of rotation independently ofthe rotation of the two larger discs 23 and 24. As illustrated, theouter or front smaller disc 21-is ymounted on the forward end of shaft26 by means of a hub plate 36 which is keyed to the shaft 26 and whichis apertured to pass the shaft; the hub plate 36 being formed with anannular ange 37 thereon to which the disc 21 is firmly secured by meansof suitable screws 38. The second smaller disc 22 conveniently isconnec'ted to the forward end of a relatively long sleeve 39 to lay`directly behind but in spaced relation to the other smaller disc 21; thesleeve 39 surrounding shaft 26 and extending through the front wall 31of the drive casing 979 and being provided with a hub plate 41 which iskeyed to the sleeve 39 and which is Vapertured to pass both the sleeve39 and the shaft 26. The hub plate 41 isA formed with an annular flange42 to which the disc 22 is firmly secured by means of screws 43, Asvindicated,

f "5,899,9562 "i A A l the sleeve 39 is rotatably supported on bushings44 and 46 secured on the shaft 26 and is rotated by means hereinafterdescribed. The forward or front larger disc 23 is conveniently connectedto a short sleeve 47 which surrounds the sleeve 39 and extends throughthe back wall of the front casing 11, and as in the case of the sleeve39 the sleeve 47 is provided with a hub plate 48 which is keyed to thesleeve 47 and which is apertured to pass the sleeve 47 as well as thesleeve 39 and the shaft 26. The hub 48 is formed with Van annular flange49 thereon to which the disc 23 is secured by means of suitable screws51. As hereinafter described, the sleeve 47 is suitably rotated much inthe same manner as the rotation of sleeve 39 is effected. The secondlarger disc 24 at the rear of the target is placed in driving connectionwith a shorter sleeve 52 which surrounds the sleeve 47 and extends ashort distance in front of the front wall 31 of the drive casing 99; thedriving connection including a hub platek 53 which is keyed to thesleeve 52 and which is` apertured to pass the sleeve 52, the sleeve 47as well as the sleeve 39 and the shaft 26. The hub 53 also is formedwith an annular ange 54thereon to which the; larger disc 24 is securedby means of suitable screws 56.

With particular reference to Figs.V 1, 4 and 5 of the. annexed drawings,I provide a pair of reversible motors 57 and 58, together with drivingconnections and driven4 shafts for effecting the rotation of the discs.21-24, inclusive, in both directions of rotation; the drivingco-nnections being such that the two smaller discs 21 and 22 will bedriven as a pair and the two larger discs 23 and 2 4 also will beVdriven as a pair in both directions of rotation, The driving connectionsinclude a belt and pulley drive, designated generally by the referencenumeral 59,:v between the shaft of motor 57 and a driven shaft 61;: theshaft 61 extending longitudinally of the drive casingy 99 parallel tothe shaft 26 and being journaled in suitable;l bearings mounted,respectively, in the rear wall 29 ,ofJ drive casing 99 and a transversewall 62 within such casing'section as well as in the rear wall 51 of thefront casing section 11. I also provide a belt and pulley drive,designated by the reference numeral 63, between the shaft of motor 5,8and a driven shaft 64; the shaft 64, likewise, extending longitudinallyof the drive casing 99 parallel to the shafts 26 and 61 and beingjournaled inA suitable bearings similarly mounted in the rear wall 29 ofcasing 99 as well as in the transverse wall 62 and in the front wall 31of the drive casing section 99. Because the motors 5,7 and 58 arereversible, the shafts 61 and 64; are driven in both directions ofrotation, when desired;

To translate the rotation of shaft 61 for driving outer smaller disc 21in both directions of rotation, a gear 66 is keyed to shaft 61 adjacentto the rear wall 29 of drive casing 99 and is arranged thereon formeshing engagement with a largergear 68 which is keyed tothe shaft 26 onthe outer end of' which the target disc 21 is mounted'. Thus, when shaft61 is rotated in a clockwise direction the mainv or larger gear 68 onshaft 26 aswell as the-l shaft 26 ,itself will rotate in acounterclockwisev direction, thereby effecting Vcounterclockwiserotation of disc 21.v By reversing the motor 57, it is clear that thedisc 21 can be rotated in a clockwise direction. For driving the smallerdisc 22 ink a clockwise direction, I provide a second gear 69 on theshaft 61, which is keyed thereto adjacent to the transverse wall 62 indrive casing 99, and arrange the same on the shaft 61 for meshingengagement with an intermediate gear 71 which isV idly mounted forrotation on a stubA shaft 71 and which is arranged for meshingengagement with a larger gear 72 xedly secured to the sleeve39'surrounding shaft 26 and on which the inner smaller disc 22 ismounted. Thus, when shaft 61y is rotated in a clockwise direction notonly will the outer 4 direction of rotation of outer disc 21 since thegear 69 on shaft 61 will effect rotation of the intermediate gear 71 ina counterclockwise direction which, in turn, will effect rotation oflarge gear 72 on sleeve 39, as well as the sleeve 39 itself and the disc22 mounted thereon in a clockwise direction. By reversing the directionof rotation of the motor 57, the shaft 61 will rotate in acounterclockwise direction and through the gearing just described thesmaller discs 21 and 22 will be rotated in opposite directions ofrotation than hereinabove discussed. That is to say the outer smallerdisc 21 will be rotated in a clockwise direction and the other smallerdisc 22 will be rotated in a counterclockwise direction of rotation.

In order to translate the rotation of shaft 64 to the driving-of thelarger discs 23 and 24, a small gear 73 is vkeyed to the shaft 64adjacent to the transverse wall 62 of the drive casing 99 and isarranged thereon for meshing engagement with an intermediate gear 74which is idly mounted for rotation on a stub shaft 74'; the gear 74being arranged for meshing engagement with a gear 76 xedly secured tothe sleeve 47 surrounding sleeve 39 and on which the front larger disc23 is mounted. When shaft 64 is driven by the motor 58 in acounterclockwise direction of rotation, the intermediate gear 74 will berotated in a clockwise direction to effect, in turn, a counterclockwiserotation of sleeve 47 as well as the front or outer disc 23 of thelarger discs. I also provide on shaft 64 a second gear 77 which isarranged for meshing engagement with a larger gear '78 secured to thesleeve 52 on which the inner larger target disc 24 is mounted. Thus,with the shaft 64 rotating in a counterclockwise direction the gear 77will effect clockwise rotation of gear 78 as well as of the sleeve 52and also of the target disc 24. Reversing the motor 58 which drivesshaft 64 will change the direction of rotation of shaft 64 to aclockwise rotation which will, in turn, effect clockwise rotation of theouter larger disc 23 and counterclockwise rotation of the inner largerdisc 24 through the medium of the gears and sleeves just described. Inother words, the two discs 23 and 24 are driven in opposite directionsof rotation relative to one another and their directions of rotation aregoverned by the direction of rotation of the motor 58 in the same manneras the outer smaller discs 21 and 22 are driven in opposite directionsof rotation relative to one another while their directions of rotationare governed by the direction of rotation of the motor 57.

In accordance with my present invention, I provide means for varying thespeeds of both of the motors 57 and 58 to effect, in turn, variations inthe speeds of rotations of the discs 21-24, inclusive, and I alsoprovide means for limiting the duration of rotations of the severaldiscs to any predetermined time interval. To this end, and asillustrated particularly in Fig. 5 of the annexed drawings, I provide arheostat 81 in the electrical circuit containing the motor 57 and inseries therewith, and I also provide a rheostat 82 in the electricalcircuit containing the motor 58 and in series therewith, in order thatadditional resistance may be introduced into the circuit or taken out ofthe circuit at the will of the operator thereby effecting the variationof the speed of rotation of each of the motors 57 and 58, as desired. Tolimit the duration of the operation of each of the motors 57 and 58 and,consequently, the duration of rotation of the several discs 21-24inclusive, I provide in the electrical circuit a timing device,designated generally by the reference numeral 83, across which each ofthe motors 57 and 58 are connected. As illustrated in Figs. 4 and 6 ofthe accompanying drawings, the timer 83 includes a clock motor 84 onlthe shaft 86 of which a cam element 87 is mounted for rotation with theshaft. The cam 87 is so arranged that it engages a pin 88 in the path ofits rotation; the pin 88 being fitted into a socket of a lever 89 whichis pivotally mounted by means of a pin 91 on a bracket 92 supportedadjacent to the shaft 86 of the motor 84. As indicated in Fig. 6 of theannexed drawings, the lever 89 carries one contact93 of a pair ofbreaker-point contacts connected into the electrical circuit; the othercontact 93' of which being mounted on a flange 94 of the bracket 92which, in turn, is pivotally mounted by means of a pivot pin 96 on aframe 97 secured by means of bolts 98 to the motor casing 99, see Fig.7. The engagement of the cam 87 with pin 88 of lever 89 will effect thepivotal movement of the lever 89 to open the breaker-points 93 and 93thus opening the circuit to the motors 57 and 58. The pivotal movementof the bracket 92 is limited by means of a pin and slot arrangementincluding a slot 101 formed in the bracket adjacent one end thereof anda pin 102 which passes through the slot and is fixed to the frame sothat as the bracket 92 swings in opposite directions it is limitedl bythe engagement of the end walls of the slot 101 with the xed pin 102. Ialso provide in the timer device an adjustable rod 103 which extends outof the side wall of the rear Vcasing section 12 and which is providedwith a turning knob .104 for convenient manipulation thereof; the rod103 bearing against a flange 106 of bracket 92. A spring 107 isassociated with the rod 103 and is confined between an extension 108 ofthe flange 106 of the bracket 92 and a slidable or adjustable stopelement 109, as clearly shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings. Turning of therod 103 in one direction of rotation will urge the bracket 92 in onedirection against the influence of the spring 107 and thus limit thepivotal movement of the bracket 92 to a predetermined extent, whileturning of the rod 103 in the opposite direction will increase thepivotal movement of the bracket 92 of the timer mechanism and thus varythe position of the pin 88 of lever 89 to regulate the timing cycle. Inoperation, the motor 84 rotates very slowly so that the cam 87 likewiserotates very slowly and the cam will only engage the pin 88 to effect abreaking of the circuit of the motor 84 when the bracket 92 is heldwithin certain limits of its pivotal movement.

The electrical circuit containing the motors 57 and 58 as well as timer83 is diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 5 of the annexed drawings andincludes a pair of conductors 111 and 112 leading from a source of 110volt alternating current, not shown. The circuit includes a main switch113 for closing and opening the circuit at will and also includes a pairof do-uble pole, double-throw switches 114 and 116 between the timer 83and each of the motors 57 and 58, respectively, so that reversal ofcurrent to the motors 57 and 58 can be made as desired in order toreverse the direction of rotation of the motors. As shown in Figs. 4 and5, the shafts of the rheostats81 and 82 are extended through a side wallof the rear casand other working parts which are mounted within thesection 12. y

Whenever it is desired to exercise the ciliary muscles of a patientseye, the patient is seated in front of the front casing section 11 sothat he may view the target constituting the discs 21, 22, 23 and 24through the opening 14 of the front casing section 11. The main switch113 of the electrical circuit is then closed to start the motors 57 and-58, as well as the timer mechanism 83 after, of course, the reversingswitches 114 and 116 have been closed so that the motors 57 and 58 arerotated in one direction of rotation which, as above described, effectsthe rotation of the smaller discs 21 and 22 in opposite directions ofrotation relative to one another and also effects the rotation ofl thelarger discs 23 and 24 in opposite directions of rotation relative toone another.

While not shown in Fig. 5- of the annexed drawings, the illuminatingmeans 17 are:

connected tothe electrical circuit so that upon the closing ofthe mainswitch 113 the illuminating means 17 are energized to flood light raysonto all of the discs of the target; VThe operator may manipulate theturning knobs 117 and 118 controlling'the rheostats 81 and 8 2 in orderto increase or decrease the speed of rotation of the discs 21 to 24inclusive. If the operator desires the target to movecontinuously for anindefinite period ofV time, the knob 104 of the rod 103 can bemanipulated to take the small pin 88 of the lever 89 entirelyV out ofthe path of the cam 87 Which rotates on the shaft 86 of the clockv motor84, thus eliminating any possibility of interrupting the main electricalcircuit and stopping of the motors 57 and 58. On the other hand, if theoperator desires to limit the duration of rotation of the discs of thetarget, the rod 103 may be moved by turning the knob 104 to apredetermined distance and thus bring the pin 88 of lever 89 into thepath of the cam 87 so that the motors 57 and 58 will be stopped afterthe duration of a predetermined time interval.

`In accordance With my present invention, I provide on each of the discs21-24 inclusive an ocular objective which comprises a uniform pattern,designated generally by the reference numeral 121 on each of the viewsof Figs. 9-12 inclusive; it being understood that the patterns of thediscs may be varied as to different discs and that the patterns may bedelineated on the discs by any suitable means,

such as by applying the pattern to a transparent disc byv means ofpaint, lacquer, enamel or the like, or the pattern 121 may be formed onthe disc by cutting out sections of a disc to define the pattern. Eachof the circular discs 21-24 inclusive can be constructed of Wood, metalor of a plastic material and the pattern formed thereon or therein maybe made by any of the modes suggested. As shown in Figs. 9 and l0, Iprovide the pattern 121 in each of the smaller diameter discs 21 and 22by die-cutting segmental sections from each disc to leave segmental discportions, thus affording alternate solid segments 122 and alternatesegmental openings 123. The segmental disc sections 122 as Well as thesegmental openings 123 provided in the inner and outer smaller discs 21and 22 preferably are half-crescent in shape with one terminus 'of eachhalf-crescent at the center 124 of the disc and WithA the midpoint ofeach half-crescent at the periphery of the disc. It is to be observedthat the disc segments 122 and the segmental openings 123 of the disc 21are turned in the opposite direction from the similar portions of disc22, i.e., with the curves of the half-crescents oppositely directed.

To the same effect are the ocular objectives or patterns 121 on one ofthe larger diameter discs 23 which is disposed ahead of the disc 24 inthe assembly of discs on the machine. That is to say, the ocularobjective 121 on disc Z3 is formed by die-cutting out half-crescentshaped segments from the body of the disc to provide a pattern ofalternate disc segments 132 and alternate segmental openings 133 withoneV terminus of each half-crescent segment at the center 134 of thedisc and the other terminus of the half-crescent segments adjacent tobut beyond the periphery of the disc. In this pattern on disc 23', thehalfcrescents are preferably turned in the same direction as thehalf-crescent segments on the inner smaller disc 22 and, consequently,opposite to the turned directions of the half-crescents of the disc 21.The larger diameter disc 2,4 which is at the rear of all of theassembled discs constituting the target,V preferably is a solid discWith the ocular objective 121 delineated thereon by means of anysuitable paint, lacquer or enamel; the -pattern preferably being similarto that of the disc 21 in that the entire area of the front face of thedisc is delineated with alternate opaque half-crescent shaped segments137 and alternate white or light colored half-crescent shaped segments138 with one terminus of each half-crescent segment at the center 139 ofthe disc and-the other terminus of each half-Y first pair of smallerdiscs comprising a plurality of half:

crescent shaped segments with one terminus of each half#-V 8 crescentsegmentadjacentto butbeyondjthe periphery:V o' the disc.- x

While not indicated in the drawings specifically, itis; to be understoodthat the segmental portions 122Y ofthei discs 21 and 22 aswell as thesegmental portions132v Oft the disc 2-3 may be colored with differentcolored paints or crayons or the like to provide contrastingV colorsbe'. tween all ofV these discs, and the solid half-crescent seg-I ments137 'of the larger disc 24 may be colored'V with an. entirelyV differentcolor than the colored segmental por. tions of the discs 21-23 inclusiveso that a variegated color effect is presented to the eye of the patientviewing the targets during the rotation of thev various discs irL theirdifferent directions of rotations.

In Fig. 13 of the annexed drawings, I have illustrated the assembleddiscs 21-24 inclusive as these discs are, viewed by a patient sitting atthe front of frontV casing-I section 11 and looking through the opening14 thereof-.Y As shown in Fig. 13, a patient viewing ther assembleddiscs through the opening 14 Vof the front section casing 11 willobserve a series of changing patterns which cause. the eye, in effect,to follow the patterns from the centers. of the discs to the peripheriesthereof and then back again to the centers of the discs. Since thesediscs, as; described above, can be rotated at various rates of r.o.tation and can be rotated in opposite directions at theI will of theoperator, itis clear that the ciliary muscles of the eye can bestimulated and strengthened afterV ai. series of Sittings or after aseries of observations of theseA moving patterns on discs 21-24inclusive constitutingthee target of the machine. Accordingly, I haveProvided. as a basic principle of my present improvement for the,instantaneous and automatic control of the directional movement of amulti-ple number of separated ocular ohr. jectives of predeterminedpatterns thereby atording cornbined eyesight stimulation.

It is to be understood that the appended claims are to,r be accorded arange of equivalents commensurate inV scope Withthe advance made overthe prior art.

I claim :v

1. An eye stimulator comprising a target consisting` 0f: a first pair ofsmaller diameter discs and a second pairv of larger diameter discs, anocular objective on each `of, said discs, 'means for mounting said discsin linearly-f spaced relation'on a common axis, and means for rotatingeach pair of said discs independently o f one another and at differentspeeds.

2. An eye stimulator comprising a target consisting of a first pair ofsmaller diameter discs and a second pair of larger diameter discs, anocular pattern on one of said'V crescent shaped segments at the centerof said disc, an ocular pattern on the other of said first pair ofsmaller discs consisting of a plurality of half-crescent shaped`segments with one terminus of said half-crescent shaped segments at thecenter of said other disc;` said pattern; on said other of said firstpair of' discs being oppositely directed than the pattern on said firstnamed smaller diameter disc, and an ocular pattern on one of said secondpair of larger diameter discs consisting of a plu-` rality ofhalf-crescent shaped segments having` one termi-` nus of each of saidsegments at the center of said disc,

3. An eye stimulator as defined in claim 2, and including meansdelineated on the other of said second pair of larger discs defining apattern of half-crescent, shaped segments with the terminus of each ofsaid seg,- ments at the center of said other of said second pair oflarger discs; said pattern on said other of said second: pair of largerdiameter discs being oppositely directed from the pattern on said firstnamed disc of said secon pair of larger discs. i

4. An eye stimulator as defined in claim 2, and in-A cluding means formounting said discs in linearly-spaced. relation. ona common axis,.andmeans for. vrotating each;

pair of said discs independently of one another and at different speeds.

5. An eye stimulator as defined in claim 3, and including means formounting said discs in linearly-spaced relation on a common axis, andmeans for rotating each pair of said discs independently of one anotherand at i different speeds.

6. An eye stimulator as dened in claim 2, and including means formounting said discs in linearly-spaced relation on a common axis, meansfor rotating each pair of said discs independently of one another and atdilerent speeds, and means for limiting the time duration of rotation ofeach pair of said pairs of discs to a predetermined time interval.

7. An eye stimulator as dened in claim 3, and including means formounting said discs in linearly-spaced relation on a common axis, meansfor rotating each pair of said discs independently of one another and atdierent speeds, and means for limiting the time duration of rotation ofeach pair of said pairs of discs to a predetermined time interval.

in a direction of rotation opposite to said predetermined v direction ofrotation.

9. An eye stimulator as deined in claim 8, and means for limiting thetime duration of rotation of each of said pairs of discs to apredetermined time interval.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS StoefenIan. 3l, 1933 Eaves July 31, 1945

